Ruth
Riley has had quite an eventful past few years. In 2001, the Indiana native
was named the Naismith Award winner and led Notre Dame to its first NCAA Championship
in women's basketball. After being drafted in the first round by the Miami Sol,
Riley found her way to Detroit and helped the Shock go from the worst record in
the league to winning the WNBA title in one season. In Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA
Finals, Riley scored 27 points en route to earning WNBA Finals MVP honors. In
2004, she realized a lifelong dream and helped the United States win Olympic gold
in Athens. Again in 2006, Riley found herself back in the winner's circle as the
Shock captured the 2006 WNBA title. On Feb. 22, 2007, the Shock traded Riley to the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Ever since I can remember, my coaches have always said, "defense wins
championships." Well, after this year's NBA Finals, I would beg to
differ!!

I definitely have friends who live by the philosophy that their offense
is their best defense. I am not prepared to go to that extreme, but I do
think that the role of the offensive production should be re-evaluated in
the defensive-oriented old school of thought.

This year's Finals lacked the excitement that last year's provided, for
the sheer simple fact that the average person does not watch a basketball
game for great defense. Unless someone is getting their shot sent to the
third row, most fans want to see high-flying dunks, long range 3's and ankle-breaking
cross-overs, NOT a great double team on the world's best power forward or
tremendous individual defense on one of the league's top young players.

At the end of the day, it is the team with the most points on the board
that wins. Defense might keep the number under your opponent's name on the
scoreboard low, but offensive execution is what puts a larger number under
yours.

This was definitely a rare NBA Finals series, where two defensively solid
teams battled it out. Experience was a huge deciding factor for the San
Antonio Spurs. No, their offense wasn't fluid or smooth, but in true championship
fashion, they made plays when they needed to.

So what happens when defensive efforts even out? Dare I say it, coach???? I
think "offense" just might have won its first championship!!

I am currently playing for Lotos, Gdynia (in Poland), where we just had three
days off for Easter. It was not enough time to go home, so I thought I would do
the next best thing: go to Israel. I am very open about my Christian faith, so
I thought it would be a unique experience to actually see the places I have always
read about.

First of all, the hardest part was actually getting there. Although I was not
really scared to travel, I guess the airlines were a bit scared of me: you see,
coming and going I had to go through extra security checks where it took a couple
hours to convince them that my iPod speakers were NOT a bomb. Once I arrived,
I was immediately approached by a taxi driver, who kindly offered his services
for a "special" price. Since I was in for an hour ride, I asked to look
at the sports page. And to my surprise, there was a huge article about Shay Doron,
the 3rd round draft pick of the New York Liberty. There was a lot of national
pride in the first Israeli woman to be drafted by the WNBA. I also learned that
Game 1 of the finals for the Israeli women's league was taking place that night,
so of course I made plans to go. How ironic that I couldn't escape the WNBA, even
on my vacation!

On to the game. The matchup was Ramla -- featuring Plenette Pierson (Detroit),
LaToya Thomas (San Antonio) and Monique Currie (Chicago) -- against Ramat Hasharon,
who sported Mwadi Mabika (L.A.) and Deanna Jackson (Chicago). Uncertain of what
to expect, I was pleasantly surprised. The gym was packed. On one side, there
were mostly young men (yes, I said men) who stood the whole game, cheering, jumping
up and down and, of course, harassing the opponents and the officials. The other
side was made up more of average fans, families and sponsors. Although it was
a hard-fought game, Ramla came away with the victory.

The rest of my weekend consisted of a few tours, including Old Jerusalem, Nazareth
and the Dead Sea. I was deeply impacted by the "past" and "present"
of what I was experiencing. As I walked down the Via Dolorosa with thousands of
other people on Friday, retracing the steps that Christ walked, I found myself
in awe of the events that had taken place there. For such a small country, it
boasts an amazing amount of historical sites.

Then, there was the "present" of the situation. Staying in Jerusalem
during Passover taught me a lot about the Jewish religion. As I walked though
the streets, I couldn't help but be amazed at the contrasting, yet integrated,
blend of class, culture and religion. It was a combination of the Orthodox Jew,
the Muslim and the Christian. Looking around, there were literally people from
all around the world, most of whom couldn't communicate if they wanted to. Yet
they were bound together by their similar respective faith. There are very few
things that universally unite people in a way where words are not necessary: Faith
and sports are unique in this area.

The Art of the Deal-Posted
by Ruth Riley
- Feb. 27, 2007 8:02 a.m.

TRADE: the voluntary exchange of goods, services, or both, originated
with the start of communication in prehistoric times (courtesy of en.wikipedia.org).

"Detroit has been good to
me, I love the organization, we have tremendous fans and I cherish the memories
of winning two championships in four years!" says new Silver Star Ruth Riley.Ron Hoskins/NBAE/Getty Images

From exchanging snacks during lunch time in 2nd grade to buying and
selling stocks on the market, we have all grown accustomed to this act
of wheeling and dealing. For the most part, we don't think about how
integrated this word is in our lives. We simply "trade" our 4 bucks
for a vanilla non-fat, extra hot latte and move on our way. But when
it comes to sports, this word makes people stop and contemplate.

In basketball, trades are always breaking news. After a trade happens,
fans, pundits and even fellow players usually evaluate the players involved,
contemplate the significance to their teams and then come to a conclusion
about who got the better end of the deal. There will always be speculation
about why the trade went down, perhaps amid rumors of this or that just
to make it more exciting.

After the evaluation, I always arrive at the same question: How does
it affect me? As a fan, trades are evaluated on a more personal level.
Did I like that player? Was she fun to watch? Was she a good person?
Will I miss her? What do I know about the new addition to the team?
Will that change the dynamic of my team?

But from an organization standpoint, I look at the transaction and try
to determine the overall impact on the league. Does this deal change
how I see my opponent? Will it now make this team more of a contender?
Will it affect my standing in the conference? And does it help or hurt
me in pending deals of my own?

But this time, I'm the player.

From a player's perspective, here's how I approached this deal: What
is my current/future role with Detroit vs. my potential role with San
Antonio? I compared how successful I thought each team would be, the
organizations involved, coaching staff, players and respective cities.

I concluded that I am sad to leave, but excited to go. Detroit has been
good to me, I love the organization, we have tremendous fans and I cherish
the memories of winning two championships in four years!

With that being said, I am excited to take my knowledge and experiences
to a new team. I am trading the challenge of trying to earn a repeat
championship with the challenge of helping a team get there. I leave
with no hard feelings or sense of regret, but only gratitude for the
memories I have.

There is something exciting about change… the newness of a situation…
it is almost as if you are given a fresh start. As I close a four-year
chapter in my basketball career and life, I turn the page with anticipation
of what the future may hold!

Right or Responsibility-Posted by Ruth
Riley - Feb. 2, 2007 3:02 a.m.

As I spend more time working with Nothing But Nets, I have surprisingly
answered a lot of questions about why I am doing this on a personal
level and also why the NBA is involved on a global level? The very first
time I got this question, I was honestly shocked. I had prepared my
talking points about the organization, and what we were trying to accomplish,
but I never really spent time questioning my individual motives. My
answer is quite simple: my Faith challenges me to love everyone in a
non-discriminating manner. Although my personal reason is relatively
straightforward, I couldn't help but think more about this "why" question,
and therefore conducted an inner debate of Right vs. Responsibility.

Right: An entitlement, freedom, privilege.Responsibility: the state, fact, or position of being accountable
to somebody or for something.

Do I, as an individual professional athlete and the NBA as a premier
sports league have the responsibility to do community service? Is it
mandated by our "elite" roles in society? Is the old adage true, " to
much whom given, much is required?"

OR

Is it an individualistic or business decision, strictly based on personal
choice of involvement, void of any obligation? Do I have a right to
live my life completely and solely for myself with absolutely no interest
in the welfare of my neighbor?

After much thought I have come to the conclusion that everyone has
a right to answer this highly debated question according to their own
beliefs, but in exercising my personal right I would say the responsibility
lies on all of our backs!

Nothing But Nets is only one of the NBA's many NBA Cares Initiatives.
In our last day in Angola, Sam Perkins and I took place in a Basketball
without Borders clinic and the donation of four new basketball courts
sponsored by Sprite. The picture I am enclosing isn't of the ribbon-cutting
ceremony, but rather of the children who will be tirelessly utilizing
this new addition to their neighborhood.

The NBA takes on the responsibility of not only ensuring these children
reach their teenage years (through Nothing But Nets) but also establishes
global grassroots basketball programs to encourage them to be active
and healthy. Think about a little kid standing outside the toy store
window, hands pressed against the glass, everyday longing for that one
special toy. Then, one day, someone invites that kid to actually go
into the store and paid for that toy. These kids are not only hungry
for basketball, but more importantly they are starving for someone to
actually show that they care!

So in answering the question of "why" I would simply say: yes, the
NBA and I could rightfully do nothing--but then I would ask you... is
that really right.

In our world, the first impression is a very significant occurrence
in a future relationship. As an introduction begins, our mind brings
up all the preconceived ideas and previously gathered information and
matches it with the current sensory data that is being collected. For
me, I took all the stats and facts that I have learned and walked into
the Cajueiro Municipal Hospital's emergency children's ward and met
Malaria face to face. It looked like Telina, a four-month old lying
limply in her small hospital bed, with the only movement coming from
the IV drip that is giving her some much-needed hydration. She was seemingly
unconscious, completely unaware of the multitude of flies swarming her
frail frame, and the only reprieve from the constant fever was the cool,
wet cloth covering her chest.

Have you ever met someone whose presence completely dominated the introduction?
Often times, as an athlete, people are slightly enamored at our initial
meeting. This was definitely not the case, as I was completely overwhelmed
by Malaria. The more we got acquainted throughout the day, the more
I realized that Telina was only one of many different faces to this
disease.

There was Paula Mercedes and her 14-year-old daughter, Felizbina, who
was in critical condition because it took her too long to get to the
clinic. Little 1-year-old Calcia,who suffered from cerebral malaria
as well as AIDS. (Recent studies show there is a direct correlation
between the two diseases: the susceptibility of getting them due to
a vulnerable immune system and the acceleration of the diseases once
contracted.)

My first encounter with Malaria evoked a two-fold, heart-wrenching
experience. It was very difficult to actually witness the helpless condition
of many of these children. My heart broke not only for the child in
the bed before me, but also because I knew that this case was only one
of millions across the continent of Africa.

The second challenge to my initial introduction of Malaria actually
took place in the waiting room. A mass of mothers with their sick child
in arm were huddled in a room hoping to have the chance to actually
be seen by a doctor. This was especially hard not only because of the
numbers of mothers, the fact that the facility was beyond capacity 24
hours a day, but it was the expression on their faces that really impacted
me. They were emotionless, waiting patiently, as their child was often
times dying in their arms. I tried to put myself in their shoes. Rather
than just sitting there, I saw myself hysterically trying to push my
way into the ER and rushing to the doctor, demanding that my child be
seen. It was there, in that waiting room, that I truly understood the
devastating effects of this disease beyond the statistical numbers.
These women are stoical because over the years they have come to see
the death of their children at the hands of malaria as a way of life,
an occurrence so common that it no longer evokes a panic stricken response.

As promised, I tried to paint a vivid picture for you of what I saw
and experienced. Now that my trip is over and I am untangling all the
various emotions, I am filled with an odd sense of encouragement. Yes,
the situation is devastating, and the need is greater than the supply
of provisions; but I have a sense of hope because something is being
done. I am optimistic because Malaria IS preventable and thousands of
people ARE making the $10 donation to save a life. It is my hope to
not only eliminate this disease completely, but also renew those mother's
sense of hope in their lives and the lives of their children!!

Staring malaria in the face is very new to me. The Nothing But Nets
program works on malaria prevention through net distribution, not treatment.
But we are currently in Angola to see the impact of malaria in an area
where there is not a good supply of nets so we truly understand the
need. The United Methodist Church has been our host for this portion
of our observation trip. They do the most work around malaria prevention
and treatment here in Angola.

In Luanda, Angola, floods have displaced thousands of people and caused
malaria, a deadly killer, to ravage young people and families. Malaria
was long present in Angola, but the standing water and basic sanitation
nightmare that has resulted from the floods has created a perfect breeding
ground for the worst strain of malaria, called Falsiparun.

The Nothing But Nets team visited the largest hospital in Luanda and
the smallest clinic in a nearby village, both overrun with malaria to
the point that people are lying on the sidewalks outside with IV' s
in their arms. Walking through hospitals are feverish children who are
so anemic from malaria that it is too late for ACT treatment to work.
It makes me wonder how these children get so far gone before they get
care.

The face of malaria looking back at me is a child with yellow eyes and
so many flies on their face that I can't see the opening of their nostrils.
Ruth Riley from the WNBA said yesterday, "This experience makes me want
to buy nets with every cent I have in my bank account, so none of them
have to go through this."

To the thousands of Nothing But Nets donors: all of your donations are
making a difference. I cannot express how important these nets are to
children and families in Africa. I wish I could show all of you what
you are preventing with your 10 dollar donations. All I can say today
from Luanda is Obrigada!

Elizabeth
McKee is the Director of Marketing for the United Nations Foundation,
and is responsible for the marketing and communications strategies for
the Foundation's partnerships and programs.

Africa: Day Two-Posted by Ruth
Riley - Jan. 26, 2007 12:39 PM

In a day and age where there is question about the strength of the
US dollar, I can assure you that I have a new-found respect for a 10
dollar bill! As you may know by now, a donation of $10 to www.nothingbutnets.net
will provide a mosquito net for a family in Africa, but what I witnessed
today was the unbelievably organized and tireless efforts that make
this exchange possible.

Today is the first of a four day immunization-based net distribution
process. The day began with us being led into a small clinic, where
I was astonished by the massive mounds of nets that were piled up and
ready to be distributed. As my gaze shifted from the nets, I saw two
young mothers sitting on a nearby bench. It was as if I witnessed the
transaction take place right before my very eyes. I saw you, the donor
(represented by the masses of nets) standing there stretching your hand
with a $10 bill eager to help and just as it reaches the outstretched
hand of this young woman—it turns into a beautiful blue net that will
protect her family for the next 4 years!

What impacted me the most today was not this initial impression, but
rather the behind-the-scenes process that seldom gets told. It is the
endless efforts of the local health workers, who devote their entire
lives to the welfare of their community. I watched as men and women
began rolling the bundles of nets to their respective vehicles. We were
at the Local Government Headquarters, but workers needed to transport
the nets to the 54 various rural and urban clinics where the distribution/immunization
process would be going on simultaneously.

The first thing I saw walking into one of these local clinics was the
masses of mothers sitting on small wooden benches with their children
intricately tied to their backs. The room was small, there was no reprieve
from the hot, humid air, yet they waited patiently knowing that they
would be leaving with more than they came with.

There were three steps to this immunization/distribution process. The
mother would present her child’s immunization card to the health worker,
where it would be checked to make sure it was up-to-date (measles, polio,
and sometime hepatitis B, tuberculosis). If the child was missing any,
it would be administered immediately in step 2. Then, with proof of
a completed card, the mother would be presented with a brand new mosquito.

Now that the nets are in the hands of the people who need them the most,
these diligent volunteers (I eluded to before), still have work to do.
They go door to door in their neighbors hoods (each one covering at
least 120 houses), making sure the nets are hung properly and more importantly
that the children, not their fathers, are the ones resting safely under
them at night!

Today I witnessed how a $10 donation is transformed into a life-saving
mosquito net — but that is a simple economic transaction. What impacted
me the most was the means by which this takes place: the selfless efforts
of the local community workers. To fully understand what makes these
health workers so spectacular, I want you to think of the most nurturing
and selfless person you know — for me it is my mother. Then imagine
that person exerting the same amount of love and affection on your entire
community. Their efforts transcend all borders of race, gender, religious
affiliation and economic class.

So as I close, allow me to repaint the picture I started with today.
I see you standing there with your $10, reaching toward this remarkable
health care worker, who in turn is reaching toward a young African mother
with her brand new mosquito net in hand!!

Back In Africa-Posted by Ruth
Riley - Jan. 25, 2007 4:30 PM

Mr. John Gordon/United Methodist News Service

As I write about my journeys with the UN Foundation in Nigeria and Angola,
this will not be my average blog. Often times, blog entries are opinionated
or written from an entertainment perspective. It is my intent here to
simply describe to you what I see and experience and hopefully open your
eyes to a different country and culture.

Day 1: Travel and first impression

The prize after a long day of traveling was waiting with my fellow passengers
to claim my luggage. When traveling overseas, I become significantly more
patient waiting for my bags. All I really want to do is take a shower,
wash my face and put on some clean clothes. As time passes, the thought
creeps into my mind that quite possibly my bags will not make it, or even
worse, they will be lost forever and I will be stranded with only what
I have in my present possission. It is this thought, and this thought
alone, that allows me to patiently wait for the frist glimpse of my familiar
luggage!

As I look around, I begin to absorb the cultrue that I have just landed
into. If this scene was transposed into a children's book with the instructions
"circle what does not belong," I would very easily be the first item itdentified!!
I found that as I glanced through the room, I was met with a lot of curious
stares. Who is this tall, white woman? Is she an athlete? What brings
her to my country?

Over the years, my travels abroad have become synonymous with unadulterated
staring. It isn't the type where you catch a glimpse of someone and
they are quick to turn away before being recognized. No, it is the outright,
unblinking look of confusion and amazement. I am uncertain if it is
my height, race or gender that is the attraction. I am guessing the
combination of them all. Over the years, I have found that I have three
options to this universal occurrence. I can either ignore the looks,
respond with hostility/indifference, or (what i usually do) is mirror
their looks with open-mindedness and similar curiousity.

After it was apparent that this process would be quite a long one,
a fellow traveler to my left introduced himself and we engaged in some
small talk. As a part-time worker in the oil industry, he spent half
the year working in Nigeria. I told him that I was amazed not only at
the multitude of people that were able to fit on our flight, but also
the fact that after 30 minutes of waiting for our bags, the numbers
have not reduced at all. He explained to me that when people leave the
country, they are cultrually obligated to bring back gifts for all their
family members (the bond of family is much more foundational in this
culture), and therefore most travelers would have three bags with them.

Finally, I see my bags begin the long trek around the carousel. I bid
my new friend good night and head off to the hotel with anticiption
of what tomorrow will bring...

Final Thoughts From Kenya: Get Into
the Game-Posted by Ruth
Riley - Dec 3, 2006 6:08 AM

Have you ever sat next to someone at a game who knew absolutely NOTHING
about basketball? Every play, they were like a 3 year-old asking, "but
why...?"

That is what i felt like on this trip: cluelees, but very interested.
Every question I raised brought yet another one to be answered. I felt
empowered by the small amount of information I have gained, and with
this newly-found knowledge comes a privilege and a responsibility to
share that with you!! I want you to join with me in this very serous
competition that I have recently engaged as a player in: The Game of
Eliminating AIDS. Before we begin, I must warn you. This is not your
normal game. The setting is real and the stakes are life and death!!

Starting line up:

Team 1 - Good Guys (GBC)

Team 2 - Bad Guys

Businesses

AIDS/HIV, Marlaria, TB

Governement officials

Poverty

NGOs

Ignorance

Community activists

Cultural-based gender inequity

Average person

Lack of medical care/supplies

Your first question may be: why should you even be a participant in
this game? If a moral conviction is not enough to get you signed up,
then please note that the bad guys have an increasingly negative effect
on the global economy and that this pandemic and other related global
health issues are continuing to grow at an alarming rate. Every day,
8,500 people die from AIDS and there are 13,000 newly-infected people.

Before we go any farther, I must ask you to do one thing: you must
eliminate all minsconstrued ideas you might have about our opposition.
AIDS is not a disease that only targets promiscuous women, a specific
sexual orientation or drug users. It is the #1 killer in the USA for
young African American Women. Also, testing HIV-positive is not a death
sentence! Through Anti Retroviral drugs (ARVs), HIV positive people
are able to live normal lives. There are 40 million people now infected
with HIV around the world, but what you may have failed to realize is
how many people are affected by this disease. By 2010, more than 20
million children will be orphaned by AIDS worldwide!!

Just like any winning team, we must all work together. Yes, there are
some players that are more talented. We cannot all be the "Micheal Jordans"
of battling this complex opponent, but that doesn't make our individual
contributions any less significant.

As you are debating whether to join our team, you may be wondering
what your role is going to be. If you are approachng this competition
from a corporate perspective, I strongly encourage you to check out
the GBC. It is a coalition that skillfully joins public and private
partnerships to produce the maximum influence possible. If you are wondering
how one person can make a difference, there are numerous ways you can
get involved. You can support the Red Campaign, where a percentage of
profits from companies like Motorola, GAP, MAC, American Express and
others will be donated toward the Global Fund. You can participate in
local AIDS walks to raise support. If you are passionate about one specific
area (ex: orphaned children), then find a local or global non-profit
organization that focuses its efforts in that category.

Just like in the game of basketball, we all must be educated and aware
of the rules by which we are playing. I strongly encourage everyone
to know their HIV status. When it comes to this game, ignorance and
disinterest are deadly risks to take. Knowledge is not only an empowering
resource that allows us to unify in our strategic approach to this fatal
opponent, but it also allows us to recruit more people to strengthen
our team.

With all this being said, the ball is now in your court... please don't
stand on the sidelines anymore. We need you in the game!!!

The
Detroit Shock's Ruth
Riley traveled to Kenya as a part of the Global Business Coalition
on HIV/AIDS (GBC). Founded in 2001, the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS
(GBC) has spent the past five years developing a rapidly expanding alliance of
over 200 international companies dedicated to combating the AIDS epidemic through
the business sector’s unique skills and expertise. Headquartered in New York,
GBC maintains regional offices in Beijing, Geneva, Johannesburg, Nairobi, and
Paris; it harnesses the individual and collective power of the world’s top corporations
to fight AIDS at the local, national, and international levels. GBC
Web site

Today's journey took us to the Unilever Plantation, which is the second
largest tea exporter in the world. I know, you are probably wondering
where the connection is between HIV and tea. This company provides a
unique working environment for its Kenya laborers. The families are
provided with housing, schooling for their children, medical care for
the family and distilled water. Not only do they encourage their workers
to get tested for HIV and provide treatment where needed, they have
also established support groups for those HIV positive and peer groups
who try to educate their fellow workers about the risks and ways of
prevention.

After trying our hand at plucking tea leaves and touring the factory
and medical facilities, we held a roundtable discussion about efforts
that this company is doing to eliminate AIDS. What I came away with
is:

- One man/woman in a position of power CAN make a difference.
- Getting people to realize the importance of getting tested and knowing
their status is extremely difficult.
- A business who does place an emphasis on HIV awareness and treatment
will increase their overall efficiency.
- Caring = healthier workers = more productivity.

The second part of my blog I want to focus on the children. But I cannot
possibly put into words what they experience on a daily basis, so I
am simply going to send along a few more photos and let you see for
yourself. Although I am simply giving you a daily report, after my trip
is over, I will write about my final thoughts. Signing off from afar...

Once upon
a time, far, far away, there lived a brave little orphan girl... both
her parents died from a terrible disease, and upon realizing that she
will face the rest of her life without the people she came to know as
“mom” and “dad,” she courageously faces the fact that she, too, has
this disease.

Unfortunately this is not a script out of a work of fiction. If that
were the case, then I could easily write a “happily ever after” at the
end and all would be well. But no, this story is true. The time is now,
the place is Kenya, and the girl... well, she represents one of an estimated
2.2 million Kenyans who are currently living with the HIV infection.

I am currently participating in the GBC (Global Business Coalition)
initiative called "Healthy Women, Healthy Economies" in Nairobi, Kenya.
We spent the morning walking through the Kiambiyu Slum. We visited the
Kenya Network of Women with AIDS (KENWA) and listened to moving testimonies
of women who were HIV positive. Often times they are deserted by their
husbands, forsaken by their families and shunned by the community.

The next stop was the Nairobi Women's Hospital, which specialized in
Gender Violence. It is said that 50% of women will be raped. There is
an old wives' tale that states that if a man who is HIV positive sleeps
with a virgin, he will be cured. Believe it or not, this contributes
to the high number of rape victims. This hospital is truly unique in
that it provides health care as well as counseling for these victims.

This leads to my last stop of the day, where I was given a public HIV
test. It was a quick blood test from a finger prick. I was okay with
the test, and was confidently proclaiming my status as HIV negative.
Then the counselor asked me if I was certain that I was reading the
test results correctly. For a second, my heart stopped and my mind started
playing the “what if” game. Different scenarios were racing through
my head as my mind replayed the images of the men, women and children
I had seen throughout the day. The counselor ended up telling me that
I was correct, that I was negative. But after an internal sigh of relief,
I could not help pondering how my life would change.

What I found is that a lot of people refuse to get tested, even though
the procedure is free to the public. To them, it is like the “beginning
of the end.” But as I talked with various HIV positive patients, I would
argue that this “end” is also the “beginning”. It definitely ends life
how you knew it to some degree, but if you speak to those who got tested
and are now living healthier lives through the medicines they were given,
it is a new beginning.

It has been an extraordinary day, one that I will never forget. And
I have much more to tell. But I must sign off for now. Tomorrow is going
to be another emotional day!!

So the officials have finally gotten tired of taking so much heat from
the players. This season, they are cracking down on the complaining
and gestures by players in reaction to their calls. Technical fouls
will be assessed more often this year. In light of this new point of
emphasis, I have decided to compose a list of ways we (players) tend
to react to officials. Before I do this, I must state that as players,
we NEVER foul, and are always getting fouled! If we miss a shot, then
we must have been fouled. If we turn the ball over, then obviously we
got fouled and it is ALWAYS our possession! Therefore, when we are called
for a foul, it is ALWAYS the wrong call, we tend to act as follows:

-throw our hands up in the air with an instant look of disbelief and
claim our innocence... we might even get our teammates or fans to back
us up on our claim.

-if we got called for a foul, when obviously it was a charge, we might
just sit on the ground for a few extra minutes to ensure that everyone
knows that it should have been a charge and smile, or laugh at the idea
that we actually got called for that foul!

-if you mistake me for my teammate and give me HER foul, well then I
might just have to jump up and down and point at her and plead my case.

-if I got fouled while shooting the ball, of course I am going to have
to show you where I got fouled. Generally I will hit my elbow/arm a
couple times and say "foul ref" as I shake my head and run back down
the court.

-if I block a shot or get a steal, and you call a foul on me, well then
I might have to keep the ball in my hand and start running down the
court... demonstrating that our possession is being taken away by this
"bad call"

We have some of the best athletes in the world in the NBA and WNBA,
and some of the players are actually multi-sport athletes:

FOOTBALL: punt the ball in the stands
BASEBALL: throw a fast pitch to the goalposts
BOWLING: roll the ball down the court (away from the official)

I think that every team should come to Detroit. Our coach, Bill Laimbeer,
will personally conduct a clinic on the proper way to address the officials
and this problem would be solved very easily!!

All joking aside, I realize that, as a player, I am guilty of a few
of the above actions. The officials have a difficult job. Almost every
call they make will be challenged by a player, coach or fan. In an effort
to "clean up" some of the excessive reactions by the players, look for
officials to start giving a few more technical fouls this year than
normal. They realize that as athletes, we may react in the "heat of
the moment." No, it won't be like Billy Crystal in the movie Forget
Paris where he kicked out half the team, but you will notice a slight
difference in the official's tolerance this season! Be ready for it.

Me And My Coach-Posted by Ruth
Riley - Aug 25 2006 4:41PM

Since I was drafted to Detroit, I have heard from numerous people that
I am a replica (but nicer version) of my coach, Bill Laimbeer. As my
back to the basket days of college seem a distant memory, I contemplate
the question at hand... "am I the 'Bill Laimbeer' of the current Bad
Girls of Detroit?"

Coach

Me

Went to the best university in the world:
Notre Dame

yes

yes

Plays Center/Forward

yes

yes

Plays professionally in Detroit

yes

yes

Sets hard, but legal screens

no

yes

Is more likely to face up than post up

yes

yes

Looks good in a skirt

no

yes

Good team defender

yes

yes

Has had a broken nose (knock on wood)

yes

no

Thinks they have ever committed a foul

no

no

Ball distributor from the high post

yes

yes

Has been known to start a fight

yes

no

Does yoga

??

yes

Thinks they know more than their coach

yes

yes (jokin')

Well, you be the judge on this one. I would argue that I am a little
too nice to be that BAD:) We are both stubborn, strong-willed people
who will do just about anything the teams needs in order to win. I
could probably use some of his toughness, just like he could probably
use some of my compassion. Coach has allowed me to expand my game
to a role I never even considered myself in. If there is any way I
truly want to be like coach, it would be to have that second championship
in Detroit!!!

The last leg of this race to an NBA championship is about to be a collision
like one we haven't seen in awhile. Imagine a big diesel-powered truck
matched up against a quick German sports car.

There are two scenarios that could happen here: the BMW takes off and
just blows the truck away because the big rig can't keep up OR the truck
simply runs over that poor little sports car and eliminates it from
contention.

So the big question of the Finals is: What happens with SHAQ?????

It can be said that the team that executes its game plan the best will
win. Well this year, we aren't just talking about offensive and defensive
philosophies, but more importantly, the tempo of the game. Both teams
are confident, both teams are hungry and both teams believe that if
they control the game to their style of play, they will win.

The beautiful thing about this NBA Finals is that anything can happen.
If you criticized the last few championships, because you didn't like
equally-matched teams battling it out with similar offensive and defensive
philosophies, well then you are going to love this series!!

Dwayne Wade and Dirk Nowitzki have proven they can do almost anything
on the court. And Shaq? Well he is Shaq, not only the most dominating
force in the game, but his entertaining personality gives the fans something
that no other player can provide.

Championship games are always a battle of will. When two teams with
different styles of play match up, it is hard to tell who is going to
inflict their will on the other. Pat Riley definitely has the edge when
it comes to winning championships and may have a few old tricks up his
sleeve. But what about Mavericks coach Avery Johnson? He's been there
as a player, but does he have what it takes right now to get there as
a coach?

Also, who is going to be the unexpected hero? Who is going to make the
play that turns the game/series? What will this series be remembered
for?

With so many questions looming that I can't wait to see answered, let
the games begin! As you watch the NBA Finals, anticipate the unpredictable
and expect the unbelievable!!!

The Most Wonderful Time of the YearWhy I love March Madness-Posted by Ruth
Riley - Mar 23 2006 2:39PM

This is definitely my favorite time of year in sports. There truly
is nothing like March Madness!! The beauty of sports is revealed in
this 64 team, winner-take-all tournament. It doesn't matter what school
is on the front of your jersey or what your record was before you got
there, everyone has the same chance to win.

What makes it so special?
-Amateurism- these kids don't get paid, there are no bonuses
for making the Tournament. The simplistic beauty of competition is demonstrated
by the unity and passion that they play with.

-Equality- once you make the Tournament, every team has the same
dream?to win... and every team has a shot at that dream.

-Story lines? Each team has a compelling story of just what got
them there, and every story is uniquely scripted by the different characters
(players/coaches). We love the tales of players overcoming insurmountable
obstacles to achieve greatness because these stories give us hope in
our own lives.

-Involvement- the NCAA tournament is a time in sports where fans
feel like they are truly involved in the action. Part of it is because
they get to fill out brackets with their favorite teams and follow the
action with the friends. Everyone has their favorite team and the team
that they love to hate!! So when filling out your bracket, do you put
that team that you absolutely despise in the winner's bracket, knowing
you have a better shot at getting the pick right, or do you credit that
unheard of 13 seed team with the upset?just so you can cheer even harder
against your arch rival? It's that classic head vs. heart dilemma.

So whether you are a diehard fan or simply looking for a dramatic tale
to unfold, I hope you enjoy this year's tournament as much as I do!!

Why do I love All-Star weekend? This is the only weekend that I can
walk through the hotel lobby (in heels) and be considered short!! It
is also the only time that I don't have to answer the question, "do
you play basketball?" I thought Houston did a great job with the all-star
game this year. Although my schedule was a little on the busy side,
I really enjoyed myself.

From hospital visits to running a clinic for special Olympic athletes,
I love the fact that this weekend is more than just basketball and that
I have the opportunity to make a difference in these kid's lives!! Every
year the NBA host city opens a reading and learning center from scratch,
which is exciting to be a part of. It is great knowing that not only
will your simple interaction with these kids means a lot, but also that
you are leaving something behind to make their lives better!!

Moving on to the events:
-On the way to the Celebrity game, Nelly tried to recruit me for his
team, stating that they needed some height. Although I did not participate,
I did have the opportunity to cheer for two my teammates: Becky Hammon
(nwbl) and Swin Cash (wnba). At one point I felt like I was watching
a bad game of noon-ball (when the old-timers get together and play pick-up
at lunch). When you get to the point in the game where you are 0-for-everything,
that's when it's time to get the ball to the shooter. In case you didn't
know, SHE is the teammate standing next to you that actually plays the
sport for a living!!

-The Skills challenge was a great time, but the highlight was definitely
the dunk contest. Creativity matched with ridiculous athletic ability
left the crowd stunned and amazed! Props to both of the finalists. Your
originality definitely made this one of the best dunk contests in a
long, long time.

-Goooooooooooooo East!! Ok, I had to give a little shout out to my boys
in the east, especially the four Pistons who competed in the game. As
always, the game starts a little loose, with guys show-boating their
skills. Then there comes a point when the competitive side kicks in,
and the game starts to heat up a little bit. Braggin' rights for the
next year are on the line, and just like you would expect when the best
of the NBA competes, it came down to the wire!!

I had a great time and can't wait until next year.

Why Is It That...The first installment in a series that asks WHY??-Posted by Ruth
Riley - Dec 19 2005 9:22AM

As a player, there are so many things about this sport that just make
you go "ummmmmm." I would like to devote this article to the things
that coaches do during the course of a game that we, as players, think
are a little odd. In my international travels, I have found that coaches
are universally similar in their habits. Of course I laugh at these
things now, though I'm sure I will do the same things when I find myself
on the sideline.

Until then, why is it that...

...in the middle of a game, the coach never yells at the player who
really made the mistake? Sometimes it is actually better to be the person
who messes up than the person sitting on the bench just observing. It
never fails. As soon as something happens on the court, the coach always
feels obligated to comment on that action. If a post player happens
to bring the ball down (which we know is a cardinal sin in post play)
and the opposing guard steals it, the coach will inevitably go down
the bench, find the nearest post player and correct them as if they
had made the turnover from the sideline!

...coaches only use the last two seconds of a time out? It's the end
of the half and we need a play to score with three seconds left. Naturally
the coach signals for a time out. As a player, we grab some water, catch
our breath and we wait. And we wait. And we wait some more. Then the
buzzer goes off that signals the time out is coming to an end. It is
at this very late point that the coach enters the huddle, scribbles
something on the clipboard and sends us on our way.

...when coaches are debating about a substitution, they look at you
at least five times before they are certain that they want to put you
in the game? Most teams have a normal substitution pattern, but it is
those moments that are outside the norm that strike us as a little funny.
You see, a coach knows that he/she needs to make a sub, they even know
that they want to put you in the game, yet maybe they forget what you
look like? What else could it be? They will look down the bench at you,
then back at the game, then back to you, then back to the game, they
might even get up and walk by you, stand right beside you before that
exact moment passes and you are called to go into the game.

...during the game coach tells me to "go warm up." For those of you
who haven't been introduced to overseas basketball, let me explain.
Before the game even begins, I run in circles around the gym for about
10 minutes, stretch, do five minutes of plyometric exercises (high knees,
etc.), do a game warm-up that is constant running and then we start
the game. Basically, I have had a workout before the game has even begun.
Then I play for the first quarter or so, take a breather for a minute
or two, and before coach puts me back in the game, he wants me to go
to the end of the bench and "warm-up again." So, what ends up happening
is that he/she forgets that they have sent me to the "warming-up phase"
before entering the game and I end up watching the rest of the quarter
from the end of the bench as I am running in place trying to get "warmed
up"!!!

Hopefully I can get some of these questions answered, but until I do,
I'm just going to keep playing basketball.

Many people ask what it's like to play overseas. I've been here in
Spain for over a month now so I feel like I can properly fill you. While
I am having a great time and really enjoying myself, I want to share
one of the frustrations many of your favorite players are experiencing
once they head over yonder ? TRAVELING.

First, let me clarify. No, I'm not talking about the 15-hour bus trips
in an oversized mini-van through the mountains of Spain or the flights
from one airport I've never heard of to another (although this can be
a bit taxing). What I'm talking about is what they refer to over here
in España as "pasos" -- "traveling" or "walking," you know, moving with
the ball without dribbling.

If you take little kids who have never played basketball before and
put them on a court, usually the first thing they will do is take the
ball and start running towards the basket. From day one we were taught
that you must dribble the ball if you are going to progress towards
the rim. But the baffling thing to me and anyone else over here is how
the rules got lost in translation across the Atlantic.

Still not following? Let me explain this a little better for you. Let's
say you catch the ball facing the basket and your left foot is the pivot
foot. Of course, you have a few options: maybe you want to dribble to
your left. You would cross over with your right foot, dribble and you
are off. Now here comes the tricky part: let's say you want to dribble
to your right (with the same left pivot foot). In the States you would
simply step with your right foot, dribble and head to the basket. But
if you try that over here, you will see your friendly local official
rolling arms like a dance from the 1960's and giving you the international
sign that you have taken one too many steps. So you quickly replay the
move in your head. But no matter how you slice it, dribble and step
at the same time equals travel. To an American, it's like saying 2+2=5.
It just doesn't add up.

Then there's that thing we call an "international step." This is that
extra hop or step beyond the 1.5 that we are allowed in the States.
You see, as an American defender, they will get you on that every time.
You head down the other end of the court because you think your player
has traveled, but as you get to half court, you realize that extra step
for a lay-up actually counted!!

Please don't get me wrong. It's great that basketball is a global sport
and I respect the fact that different countries have their own style
of play. In fact, I think I can learn a lot from the international style
of the game. With all that said, this could be the most baffling thing
to me in all my international travels: How the rules of traveling are
simply not international!!

Just a little something from my travels, and my traveling... For more,
you can also check out my web site at www.ruthriley.com.

Until next time, God Bless.
-Ruth.

A Frustrating Season
Taking the bad with the good-Posted by Ruth
Riley - Nov 3 2005 6:45AM

With sports you have to take the wins with the losses, the good with
the bad. So I figured I would do the same as I write for my Blog. After
all, it's only fair. One of the most frustrating things for an athlete
is to underachieve, and that pretty much sums up our season in Detroit
as a team and especially for me on a personal level. Although I don't
believe it was from a lack of effort ? I do think that I worked hard
last season ? my work was somehow not efficient or effective. I just
know that I didn't get the results that I am capable of. Hence, the
disappointment.

The life of an athlete is full of ups and downs, the highs of winning
big games and career best performances and the lows of buzzer beating
losses and shooting slumps. As frustrating as the season was last year,
I can say that I learned a lot about myself: areas I need to work on
and strengths that I didn't know existed. To the fans in Detroit, I
simply want to say "thank you" for your support. Your encouragement
was a constant that helped us make our way into Playoffs at the end
of the season despite the challenges.

To current players on all levels, I want to pass on a few words of encouragement.
I often get questions asking for advice about how to handle different
situations that we all experience as a player. For those of you who
might have recently gone through a frustrating season in your respective
sport, or even for anyone out there who has been in a bit of a slump,
I want to start of by saying that you must believe in yourself. When
times are tough, the people who were there exclaiming your "greatness"
are going to be hard to find. Therefore, you must gain confidence from
yourself regardless of how you are playing. Just keep working on your
game, go back to the basics and make the game as simple as possible.

Disappointments inevitably lead us to question ourselves. But it is
in the process of seeking these answers that we come to realizations
about ourselves ? realizations that highlight the avenues of change
and allow us to get better and eventually find the good out of a disappointing
season.

Athletes love other sports. It's a fact, but of course, there is a mutual
respect among professional athletes. We understand what it takes to
reach the ultimate level in a particular sport or concentration. So
if I am flipping through the TV stations and see Andy Roddick in a tennis
match, I can totally appreciate the fact that he is one of the best
at what he does. The same goes for Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor
with beach volleyball, or any other athlete who is dominant in their
respective sport. But the irony comes in when professional athletes
think that they can compete with athletes beyond their own area of expertise
and challenge the best in their other respective sports.

My favorite example is when a football player comes up to me and says,
"Oh, I could post you up." OK, now granted most athletes played other
sports in high school (but come on, that was high school) and yes, they
must have a decent amount of athleticism in order to be playing on the
highest level. But boys, seriously, you are going to beat me or my teammates
one-on-one? I don't think so.

The first thing you notice when you try to cross over into another sport
is that your body has been trained specifically for your particular
sport. For example, when I play against football players, I notice that
their stamina is built for quick sprints, but then they need to rest.
I've never had so many ":20 second timeouts" in a one-on-one game as
when I play with a football player!!

Then the skill comes into play. Most athletes embrace the challenge
of playing professional sports. Therefore, they are intrigued and motivated
to learn a new sport. Because they are so dominant in their respective
sport and challenge themselves on the highest level, they think the
cross over is going to be very simple. But they forget just how hard
they worked to be the best in their own sport. So not so fast. But I
will admit it is quite entertaining.

Now don't get me wrong. There are definitely multi-sport athletes who
excel in more than one area. I am NOT referring to them. I am simply
talking about the average baller who is constantly talking trash to
me or my teammates about his game when he steps on the court, and then,
before he knows it. he just lost to a girl. Oops, better luck next time,
but keep talking, because it is amusing to listen to.

It was definitely an honor to be voted in by the fans to my first All-Star
Game. Usually, my All-Star break consists of a couple days at home getting
rested and ready for the second half of the season. This year I had
the opportunity to represent myself, my family, Detroit and, last but
not least, all of the fans that voted for me to have the opportunity
to play with and against the best players in the world.

The All-Star Weekend is definitely a chaotic experience. Your first
day consists of practice, appearances, photo shoots and, finally, dinner
with sponsors. Although there isn't much time for r & r, it is a rare
opportunity to hang out with and get to know some of the players that
you spend the rest of your months competing against.

One of the things I love about our league, is how passionate our fans
are!! The All-Star Game is interesting because the fans go from cheering
for their favorite players or team to cheering for the whole Eastern
or Western Conference team. They may be Connecticut Sun or New York
Liberty fans, but for one afternoon, they were cheering for the whole
Eastern Conference. I guarantee that will be the only time that fans
cheer for me at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

This year, the All-Star Game provided quite a few "firsts" for the fans.

1st dunk in the All-Star game compliments of Lisa Leslie

1st team to have 4 players (Detroit... basketball)

1st time the East beat the West.
Oh wait, I guess that one will have to be next year.

For those of you who have never been to a WNBA All-Star Game, I would
encourage you to check it out next year (wherever it may be). Enjoy
the experience, because it truly is for the fans!!

In closing, I want to say thank you to the fans for making my first
All-Star Game one that I will truly remember!!

With the NBA Finals once again close to home in Detroit, I had the
opportunity to watch my favorite player in person.

If you ask a little kid to pick any player in the NBA they wanted to
be, odds are that Tim Duncan isn't going to be the first name on their
list. They love the charisma of players like Wade, Iverson, and Nash.
High-flying dunks and ankle-breaking crossovers are what keep their
attention. You would be pressed to find a gym where kids are practicing
a reverse pivot off-the-glass jumper, or a baby hook shot going either
direction. Although Duncan isn't going to blow by his defender or finish
a play with a windmill slam, what he is going to do is give you the
consistency that wins games and eventually championships.

As a post player, I might be paying a little more attention to Mr. Dependable's
performance than the average fan. But here is why I am so impressed
with Tim Duncan as a player. His career double-double average of 22
points and 12 rebounds is not only a great feat in itself, but it also
demands attention from the opponents' defenses. The inevitable double
team does not faze him, as he is deft at scoring over or passing out
of multiple defenders.

His consistency is not isolated to the offensive end, either. His shot-blocking
and rebounding provide a solid defensive foundation. Granted, he is
a bit "stoic" in appearance and does not always show the emotions he
is feeling inside, but his contributions to the game are quite "dynamic."

In the quest to win a championship, I will take "consistency" over "flashy"
any day. As we saw, titles are won through defense and execution. Both
the Pistons and the Spurs are similar teams when it comes to these areas
because their coaches have comparable philosophies on this subject.
Now don't get me wrong, I was definitely cheering for the Pistons to
win. But as a fan of the game, I respect the skills that Duncan brings
to the floor.

So, in the light of sportsmanship and respectful admiration, I want
to congratulate the San Antonio Spurs on a hard-fought championship
and commend Tim Duncan on a Finals Most Valuable Player Award that is,
in some cases, less appreciated, but definitely well-deserved.

Mile High at All-Star
The week that was in Denver-Posted by Ruth
Riley - Mar 1 2005 10:25PM

The city of Denver proved to be a gracious host for the 2005 NBA All-Star
Game, an entire week of events and activities that was as entertaining
as ever. Now if you have ever wondered exactly what it is that your
NBA players, NBA legends and WNBA players do at the NBA All-star Game,
allow me to give you a some insight.

The NBA completely takes over the community in which the game is being
played. All of the players race around the city, running clinics, opening
reading and learning centers and visiting hospitals. When we aren't
doing that, we might be over at Jam Session helping with the Jr. NBA/Jr.
WNBA games, conducting a fitness challenge, or even hosting a Read to
Achieve event. Rounding out the evenings, we find ourselves chatting
with current or potential sponsors at that particular night's event.
We get to meet many of the league's business partners, all of whom are
so important to the NBA and WNBA.

For those of you who are not familiar with All-Star week, you should
really look into getting to Houston in 2006. You will find that there
is something for everyone. The Technology Summit is the "place to be"
for all the businessmen and women who are fortunate enough to chalk
up going to the All-Star Game as a business trip. This is where entertainers,
sports figures and CEOs share a panel and blend their professional views
with the topic at hand.

If you are looking for family entertainment, you will not have to go
any farther than the NBA Jam Session. It is simply a convention center
filled to capacity with different games and interactive competitions
for the whole family. You could easily spend days there and not get
to everything.

Of course, there are the obvious events during the weekend as well,
the ones that you at home get to see on TV... the Celebrity Game, the
Rookie Challenge, the Slam Dunk and 3-Point contests and the All-Star
Game itself. And to round out the weekend, you have your choice of some
of the hottest parties around sponsored by your favorite athletes and
entertainers! Not a bad time.

Ok, well that's all for now. I'm currently in Korea, playing in their
playoffs and a little out of touch. I'll write more about my experiences
next time. Until then...

Rapid City, South Dakota is the hometown of what WNBA player? I'll
give you a few more clues: she is 5-6 (on a good day), one of the best
shooters in the league and the "darling" point guard for the New York
Liberty.

Yes, I am talking about Becky Hammon. For those of you who have to
go back to high school geography to get a mental picture of South
Dakota, I will help you out. As a current teammate with Becky, with
the NWBL's Colorado Chill, I had the pleasure of visiting her hometown
in person with her when we played an exhibition game earlier this
season.

A quick drive from the Hammon household lands us in the woods, and
so, naturally, we find ourselves in a great place to do a little clay
pigeon target practice. You know, the thing on ESPN Outdoors where
they yell "pull" and you have to try to shoot the clay object out
of the air? Well let's just say that "3's" aren't the only thing that
Becky is good at shooting. We also left a little time to take the
four-wheelers for a spin through the hills. I must admit, it is quite
a different atmosphere than the Big Apple.

Most
athletes have fond memories of their alma maters. So for those of
you who have followed women's college basketball for a while, you
remember Becky leading Colorado State University to the Sweet 16 as
the "Cinderella" story in the NCAA Tournament her senior year. As
a sign of appreciation to Becky for all that she has accomplished
and continues to achieve, CSU has recently retired her college jersey.
The No. "25" banner hangs from the rafters at Moby Arena as a visual
reminder of a unique success story.

Many kids today are told that there are limits to their success. For
Becky, it was her height. She was constantly told that she was too
short to play basketball. But after silencing the critics a long time
ago, Becky has demonstrated to young fans that lil' girls can accomplish
big dreams! Congrats on this great honor!

My Alma Mater: The Good, The Bad,
and The Ugly
A look at the University of Notre Dame-Posted by Ruth
Riley - Dec 24 2004 2:14PM

As a 2001 graduate from the University of Notre Dame, I will admit
that I am usually one of those obnoxious alumni that you meet who
thinks that the only primary colors are blue and gold and the best
song in the world starts with "cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame..."
With that said, my current relationship with the school is similar
to that of parents who, undoubtedly, love their children, but don't
necessarily love everything they do.

Ugly
I'm starting with the ugly, and to me this is a definitely the right
way to describe the way Football Head Coach Willingham was fired.
As a university, Notre Dame knew exactly what they were getting when
they hired Coach Willingham. They knew his record as a coach and they
knew his philosophy on and off the field. Not only was this firing
unprecedented, but more importantly, it was contradictory to what
the University stands for. The lack of integrity in handling this
situation is what bothers me the most, because this is one of the
values that sets Notre Dame apart from other institutions and was
one of the reasons I wanted to go there.

Bad
* The complete lack of recognition for the academic accomplishments
of the football team this past year.
* The fact that Monk Malloy considers this to be the worse thing to
happen during his tenure as president of the university.
* The interest shown by some of the top high school recruits in attending
Notre Dame.
* The number of top draft picks that have come out of Notre Dame in
the last 10 years.

Good
* The example Coach Willingham gave all of us about how to handle
adverse situations with class.
* The positive impact Coach Willingham had on the young men's lives
that were on the football team.
* The new facilities that are being built for the football program.
* The optimism that surrounds the hiring of Coach Weis.
* The academic standards: lowering the requirements isn't the solution--proving
that Notre Dame is a stepping block to the NFL is!
* The tough schedule being played by the football team every year.
* NBC contract
* Tradition

"Are the glory days over?" This seems to be a frequent question. The
answer: Of course not. The mere fact that so many people are continually
talking about it proves to me that the wonder of this program is still
alive. Tradition is tradition because it stands the test of time.
Although we haven't won a national championship in awhile, that doesn't
take away from what Notre Dame is, what it stands for, and where it
is going. To me, the glory days will only be over if Notre Dame ever
loses the integrity of which its foundation was built. As the tradition
continues, I hope that we stay true to the principles of the past,
where national championships were won, and won with decisions based
on honor!

The one beautiful thing about the long WNBA offseason is that I get
to spend some of it in a place that I am now fortunate to call home
? Miami, Florida. And as everybody is well aware, there is one big story
in Miami that everyone is talking about this fall. I echo the words
of Will Smith and everyone else in South Florida when I say the words
"Welcome to Miami" ("Bienvenido a Miami") to Shaq Diesel.

The NBA's Miami Heat had an amazing run to finish the 2003-04 season
last year, with the rookie phenom Dwayne Wade leading the way. But with
the newly-arrived Shaq, sans any of the controversy over the spotlight
that seemed to shadow him in L.A., everyone knows that this is SHAQ's
team and is embracing their new roles in superb fashion.

I don't know if it's true that opposites attract, but having now seen
then up close and personal, I would argue that Wade and O'Neal definitely
complement each other well. The first obvious difference is in stature:
Shaq's 7-1, 325-pound frame towers over Wade, who stands at 6-4 and
212. If I had to describe Shaq in two words, it would be "entertaining"
and "dominant." The most amazing quality about The Diesel is that he
has the ability to make you laugh and smile as he demonstrates why you
should respect the way he controls a game. Wade, on the other hand,
is a "silent explosion." He rarely shows emotion and simply lets his
game do all the talking. And believe me, there is a lot being said.

When looking back at the Heat team in Miami that was here after I was
drafted by the Miami Sol in 2001, only two common dominators remain
today: guard Eddie Jones and forward Malik Allen. So far this year,
Jones has done a good job of transitioning from franchise player to
veteran leader. But then take those two players and add in a few talented
young players, Wade, Rasual Bulter and Udonis Haslem, and then throw
in some key veteran free-agents, Shaq and Michael Doleac? and you get
a completely different team than that from the 'Days of Zo' (Alonzo
Mourning).

And who can forget the head coach (Stan Van Gundy) entering his second
year at the helm, doing a tremendous job leading the way? Meanwhile,
former coach and current Heat President Pat Riley is somewhere smiling
down from high above in a luxury box.

So if you are heading down south this winter, looking for a hotspot
in Miami, the American Airlines Arena is definitely one of the places
to be!! Stop by and say hello!

So this was much more than an exhibition game in a foreign country.
This was truly the entire NBA experience brought over to China. The
teams, the court, the cheerleaders, the in-game entertainment, the mascots...
everything you would expect to see at your local NBA game was present.
And more.

Basketball has always been an international game, a highly competitive
sport played worldwide. Now I'm not talking about the game itself, but
rather the league ? the NBA product that has transcended borders and
spread globally.

There are currently 73 international players from 34 different countries
and territories in the league. The regular season games are seen in
212 countries and in more than 42 different languages. Although the
international players can be seen via television in their respective
home countries, the games are always played in the United States.

But here, Yao Ming had the unique opportunity of playing what would
be considered a true NBA-style game on his home court, the very court
where his pre-NBA team, Shanghai Sharks, reside.

The Chinese people had a chance to really "love it live," as their anticipation
for these games grew until they were finally played out. It definitely
proved to be the hottest ticket in town, with many people waiting outside
the arena to simply see a glimpse of their new-found hero, the 7'6"
superstar named Yao. His peaceful days at home are now over, if he was
ever really able to slip down the street unbothered.

But those days are now only a dream for him. Every movement is documented
and every turn is met by a flash from a camera. Through all the chaos,
Yao proved why he is such a great ambassador for his country. He found
time to do a Read-to-Achieve event at his old elementary school and
stopped by his former high school to do a youth basketball clinic.

Between China and the NBA, Yao Ming proved to be the critical piece
that connected the dots. Not only is the NBA the best basketball in
the world and played by the best players in the world, but it is now
being played across the world. Quite impressive!!

Win, Or Go HomeSunday's Game for all the Marbles-Posted by Ruth
Riley - Sep 18 2004 12:38AM

Well, the season is coming to an end, and this historical race for
the Eastern Conference playoffs is going to be played out on Sunday.
Ironically, every game is a conference game. We will face a team that
we are very familiar with, a team that we have played three times so
far this season. But the only game that really matters is the one yet
to be played.

This may be one of those rare occasions when even the most loyal fans
will be cheering for other teams to lose or win so that their favorite
squad will get one of the coveted playoff spots.

Sunday is going to be an exciting day in Detroit. Not only will there
be winner-take-all game played, but the WNBA is also honoring other
athletes in their Salute to Female Olympians. There will be various
athletes from different sports being recognized and celebrated during
the game. This past Olympics truly showed how far women's sports have
come in the United States. As an athlete who is part of the current
success of women's sports, it is exciting to reflect back upon where
we were, and to look forward to what our potential might be. I just
want to encourage the millions of little girls who are playing basketball,
soccer, softball, gymnastics or whatever your sport might be to enjoy
it. Your future holds endless possibilities!!!

I am going to close by saying that our game in Phoenix last week was
one of the hardest games I've had to prepare for. It was so hard to
focus when Notre Dame was beating up on the University of Michigan football
team--- way to go boys!!!

There are times in life when you will experience something so amazing
that it will be hard for you to ever surpass that event. For me, it
will be hard to outshine getting a gold medal on my 25th birthday. It
was surely one of the most memorable presents I've ever received. As
we stood there listening to our national anthem, watching our flag being
raised and feeling the weight of the gold medal as it hung from our
neck, it was a dream come true for me.

Chemistry is a key ingredient for any team, and it definitely was a
contributing factor to our success in Athens. Our veteran leadership
is irreplaceable. The trio of three time Olympians (Dawn, Sheryl and
Lisa) not only had the experience of playing in two previous Olympics,
but, more importantly, had the experience of winning two Olympics.
I have a lot of respect for these players who have devoted more than
a decade of their lives to USA basketball and have represented us in
an extraordinary fashion.

Our one-time (now two-time) Olympians were Katie Smith and Yolanda Griffith.
It was unfortunate not to have a healthy Katie with us, because she
is such an offensive weapon. Yolanda demonstrated what it meant to be
unselfish for the sake of the team. As one of the veteran players on
the team, she adjusted to coming off the bench and made the three-player
rotation of herself, Lisa and Tina a frontcourt that no other country
could match.

Tina Thompson and Shannon Johnson are great examples of players who
were close to making the last Olympic team, but continued to improve
their game over the last four years and proved invaluable to us. Both
of these players were able to take over during spurts of games and carry
us to victory.

And last, but not least, there were us young'uns. Talent is not directly
proportional with age, as the young Tamika Catchings and Diana Taurasi
proved to everyone. Out of the five of us, (Swin, Diana, Sue, Catch,
and myself), these two were called upon to play significant roles on
the court, and did so beautifully.

So, are we the Dream Team of Women's basketball? The verdict is still
out on that one - you can decide for yourself. I do know that we had
a lot of very talented women who put aside individual ambitions, stepped
up when their number was called and beat the toughest competition in
the world. I am so blessed to have been a part of it.

So to everyone who was diligently watching us on television or catching
up with us on the internet, thank you so much for your support!! We
are now on our way a back to our respective cities as the WNBA games
resume. Swin and I are excited about returning back to Detroit, where
we have a tough seven games ahead of us. We are looking forward to finishing
out the season strong.

God bless ya'all,
Ruth

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
A Recap of Our First Week in Athens-Posted by Ruth
Riley - Aug 30 2004 9:15AM

Greetings from Athens, to all of you stateside. I realize I have a
little catching up to do and I am sorry about being delinquent in writing,
but we are a little busy... we train and play every other day. I'm going
to give ya'all a quick day-by-day update about how things have gone
since we've touched down.

Wednesday August 11th
After winning two preparation games in Salamanca, Spain, we finally
arrived at the birthplace of the Olympics Games. As soon as we walked
off the plane, we were greeted by the decorative Olympic rings everywhere.
They proved to be an exciting reminder of why we were there. After all,
it isn't every day that you step off the plane and get ready to compete
for a gold medal!! Most of this day was about filling out paperwork,
sitting in on informative meetings and getting organized for the next
two weeks ahead.

Checking into the athlete's village was an exciting and unique experience.
Food seems to be the universal bond that ties us together, as all the
countries meet in the large dinning hall in search of anything that
resembles what they would eat in their respective countries. My first
impression was simply to be overwhelmed by it all. As you eat, you can't
help but watch the different athletes in awe, wonderng what country
they are from and try to guess what sport they might play.

August 12th
This was simply a day to get acclimated. We had our first practice,
a press conference and then a little time to try and unpack.

August 13th
This proved to be a long, but eventful day. We practiced, bussed back
to the village and got ready for opening ceremonies. As a first time
Olympian, I must admit I was looking forward to this event. Of course,
the women's team was extremely excited and proud to have our three-time
Olympian, Dawn Staley, carry the flag for the entire United States delegation.
There was a lot of down time as they organized the countries to march
in, which allowed us a chance to walk around and meet athletes from
the United States and a number of other countries.

August 14th
Let the Games begin!!! USA defeated New Zealand in our first Olympic
competition. This proved to be a very physical game for us. It was exciting
to finally get the games underway. There has been so much talk, planning
and preparation that it's good to finally be in action.

August 15th
Our schedule is set in a way that we play every other day, and the men
play on the alternating off days. So today was a practice day, and then
we were off to watch the men's opening game. There has been a lot of
talk about how both the U.S. Men's and Women's teams are favored to
win the gold. This is great because they respect the talent and experience
on our teams, but at the same time, a game/match/race isn't won by a
pre-determined ranking. The most talented team doesn't always win, the
fastest runner doesn't always come in first, and the number one ranked
player doesn't win every match. Puerto Rico came in and played with
everything they had, and on this night, appeared to be the better team.
Every night is a battle because the stakes are high and the room for
error is slim.

August 16th- 20th
I realize my entry is getting long, so I'm going to consolidate a few
days. With each passing day, practice and game, our team has improved.
After our victory over a very good Spanish team today, we are now 4-0
in our pool play with a remaining game vs. China on Sunday. Then the
all-important single elimination quarterfinals begin in mid nxt-week.

I have to tell ya one quick story before I go. After arriving in the
lockeroom, as we were putting on our shoes, Diana, our superstar rookie,
pulls a true rookie move. She doesn't have one right sneaker, but actually
has two!! Although I would probably still put my money on her jumper
playing in two right shoes, it was good that someone was able to help
her out before tip off! With the Olympics already almost half over,
we are continuing to work towards our ultimate goal ---to bring home
the Gold!!!

God bless you all, GO USA!!!

What it Means to be an Olympian
Live from Athens-Posted by Ruth
Riley - Aug 10 2004 2:47PM

As a little girl, I grew up watching just about every sport in the
Olympics. Every four years, I was awe-struck by these amazing athletes
wearing a uniform that had the letters "U.S.A." emblazoned somewhere,
competing against different athletes from around the world. I would
smile when they smiled, I would cry when they cried and I would feel
their nervousness as they waited for their scores or times to be posted.
Although I never personally knew one of those athletes, I felt some
sort of bond with them. They wore my colors: red, white, and blue. When
they won, it was my flag that was raised and my anthem that was being
played. Of course, I am extremely proud to be an American, but I have
to believe that these are emotions that every person feels as they watch
their respective county being represented.

No event in the world can parallel the Olympic games. It transcends
everything else. Throughout the history of the Olympics, there have
been conflicts and disputes around the world, political and social differences
and even rebellions and wars. Yet, countries that don't see eye-to-eye
at the bargaining table somehow all manage to put aside their differences
for the simplistic beauty of sport. The athletes become ambassadors
for their respective countries. Not only are they driven to succeed
by their own ambitions, but they also carry the expectations of a nation.

Through all the patriotism and competition of the Olympics, humanity
is never lost. Every athlete competing in the Games has a story. And
while we will always roof for and encourage our fellow countrymen and
women, we still find ourselves secretly hoping that the one long-distance
runner from a country that we never heard of, who is the only representative
of his/her nation at the Games, does well. We love the stories of how
they got there. We love the beauty, the passion, the committment and
the competitiveness that is being displayed. We take so much pride in
those athletes who wear the colors of our nation. We love the fact that
in every event, they show us that dreams do come true.

So to me, being named to the United States Olympic Team is the highest
honor that I have ever received as an athlete. I take so much pride
in that fact that the letters of the country I so proudly represent
are written across my jersey.

God bless you all, for whether you are a basketball fan or not, we know
you will be supporting us. And we will do our best to make you proud!!

Ruth

Showtime
The Game at Radio City-Posted by Ruth
Riley - Aug 9 2004 9:37AM

Unlike most award-winning shows, this one was truly a once-in-a-lifetime
event. In case you missed all the action, I'm going to give you the
post-performance critique. In theater, you come to a show to be entertained
and to see your favorite performers or favorite production displayed
on stage. This event was no different. Fans from around the WNBA came
to see their favorite players exhibit a great game of basketball in
an atmosphere unlike any other in sports.

Pros:
-Witnessing a historic event in not only the history of WNBA, but the
history of sports in general
-Seeing some of the most talented basketball players in the world play
on the stage of Radio City Music Hall
-Watching the only game the 2004 Olympic Team played in the United States
-Comfortable theater seats vs. arena seating
-Great family atmosphere with lots of entertainment during the breaks
-High-energy game, with lots of highlights

Cons:
-It might have taken fans awhile to get accustomed to the theater seating
-The game did have quite a few turnovers, but that is to be expected
in All-Star type games where players have little practice together prior
to the event
-This was the one and only time the show was being put on
-The game was played with a men's size ball (what they will use in the
Olympics), therefore some of the shots were a little off.
-There were limited tickets available (Radio City holds a little under
6,000)

Personally, I thought that playing in Radio City was a lot of fun. The
atmosphere surrounding the game was different than any other sporting
event I have ever been a part of. Once the game began, I didn't notice
that I was playing on a stage because we were all so focused on the
game at hand. For me, it was weird seeing Coach Bill, Laurie and Korie
on the opposite sideline, and guarding Cheryl and Deanna as they were
wearing Detroit Shock jerseys. Overall, it was a great send-off for
the Olympic Team to play at home, in front of our fans, who we are so
proud to go represent!!

As defending champs, we have been asked numerous times why we find
ourselves near the bottom of the teams in a very tight race for the
playoffs. Believe me, if I had the answer to that question, we wouldn't
be 10-11 right now. Before the season began, it was said that this would
be the most competitve year for the WNBA, and that has proven to be
true. The Disperal Draft and the deep college draft added a few key
players to every team. The race for the East couldn't be any tighter
and everyone seems to be taking a turn up at the top of the standings.

Things are very different when you are coming off of a championship
season and this season has been a learning experience for us. Every
team that we have played has given us their best shot. I think what
we were able to accomplish last year, going from worst to first and
having the best record in the league, showed teams what is possible
when you have talent, put in the effort and hard work, and play team
basketball. Each team came into the 2004 season believing that they
could achieve what we were able to do last year, and they are playing
with that confidence.

Confidence is an amazing thing in sports and should never be underestimated.
Every great player has it and every great team has it. Every player
in the WNBA has a tremendous talent, and that talent varies on different
levels. Another key ingredient with successful teams is chemistry. Chemistry
means having players that believe in themselves, but also believe in
their system and play unselfishly for the good of the team.

As fans, you might see your favorite team lose more games than last
year. You will likely see the race for the playoffs even tighter than
it has ever been. Does that mean that your team isn't as good as last
year? On the contrary, it means that everyone is better. There are a
lot of teams playing together with the confidence that it takes to win.
Each game is important, and every night is a playoff game right now.
Although the task at hand is not an easy one, I do have confidence that
we will start turning things around.